Health

Overcoming the Odds of disability, story of a dumb and blind graduate.

Written by Nyachae Brian on January 22, 2024

In a world that is very competitive, it is not easy to come out and imprint your name among those accorded the heroes and heroines of this dispensation. This is much more noticeable among those who are abled differently from the norm.

Dolphine Gesare Biyogo hails from Omosobwa, Boochi, Magena in Kisii County, and her skills in Machine Knitting, embroidery, basketry, cookery, childcare, farming, education, and in matters to do with business and other hand-skills, she is without a match.

The 21-year-old lady is dumb and blind however that has not made her shy from performing ordinary duties for ordinary people. Before interacting with her you may not notice her condition.

She is a lady with so much to offer and a lot of inspiration to not only the young generation characterized by youth lamenting for white collar jobs but also to the technocrats in the leadership systems who have played blind to the existence and ability of people with disability.

Gesare pursued a degree in Home Science and with the skills learned she heartily expresses her readiness to face the world and make her mother, Sarah Mwango Onchwati, who has singly graced the odds to ensure her daughter is educated.

Mwango describes the journey of a widow raising a child with such a condition with a lot of nostalgia. Her greatest plea is that her daughter secures a decent job to realize her loftiest aspirations.

“Am praying hard that she would get a job or market for her products. She is a very able daughter who does a lot on her own. You can see what she has made. Is it not beautiful?” Mwango appealingly describes while showing off her daughter’s handwork.

Gesare converses in sign language and she earnestly desires to have a knitting machine. She explains also that so far the market for her products is limited

“I love doing this without strain. Am just like any normal person. My hands can feel what am doing similarly to those who have eyes. I plead to anyone who has been touched by my story to either aid me get a job or a knitting machine,” She says.

She dreams of helping her family and siblings meet the comforts of this life and this she can achieve by managing to get a means of livelihood.

The majority of people who are disabled prefer to beg on the streets or be a burden to their family members, society, and the country at large. This is in no way reflected in the life of Dolphine Gesare.

Her neighbors and acquaintances express optimism that with her prowess in hands-on skills, she is headed somewhere great. The only barrier at the moment between her and her destiny is time and opportunity. While many of them are encouraging her by purchasing her commodities, the income earned is not enough to aid her meet her basic needs as well as have some savings.

Gesare has demonstrated to society Indeed that disability is not inability.